I have put a deposit down on a pair of 3 year old Male Mute Swans that were bred in North Florida. I live in N.W. Georgia and they will live on my pond that is approximately 1 1/2 acres. My question is their welfare during the winter months. It does get cold here (20's is common and single digits now and then) and it does snow. I understand that if the water freezes the swans would need to go in my barn or garage. (I've read your former posts) Do they require a shelter or wind break of some kind on the pond? My concern would be predadation if the shelter was too close to the shore. I have also read in your posts that most of them do not take well to man made shelters. I have been told that they basically stay in the middle of the lake at night to sleep.I am also planning on having a nesting/platform built and anchored in the middle of the lake I want to be a good Swan Parent and am trying to cover all of my bases before their arrival. Any and all information is greatly appreciated. Many Thanks! Andrea